Blueberry plant named ‘FL98-325’

ABSTRACT

FL98-325 is a new and distinct southern highbush blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum  L.) variety distinguished by a low chilling requirement, upright growth habit, and fruit that are extremely firm, sweet, with a small dry picking scar.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Vacciniumcorymbosum L.

Variety denomination: ‘FL98-325’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct hybrid variety ofsouthern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) named ‘FL98-325’.‘FL98-325’ is a blueberry clone distinguished by its low chillingrequirement, vigorous, upright bush, and large, sweet, extremely firmberries that ripen from mid-April through early May when grown in NorthFlorida. Several thousand plants of ‘FL98-325’ have been propagated bysoftwood stem cuttings in Gainesville, Fla., and the resulting plantshave all been phenotypically indistinguishable from the original plant.Contrast is made to ‘Emerald’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,165), an importantvariety widely planted in the southeastern United States. The claimedplant is important because it is more upright and has earlier maturingfruit than ‘Emerald’. Fruit of ‘FL98-325’ are also sweeter and have anextremely firm texture with a small dry picking scar. ‘FL98-325’ fruitcan be mechanically harvested with less damage than ‘Emerald’ berries.

‘FL98-325’ originated as a seedling from a cross between ‘FL96-27’(unpatented) as the female (seed) parent and ‘Windsor’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 12,783) as the male (pollen) parent. This cross was made as part ofthe University of Florida breeding program in a greenhouse atGainesville, Fla., in February 1996. The seedling was planted in ahigh-density field nursery in May 1997 and the first fruit wereevaluated in April 1998. After the second year of fruiting in the field,in the spring of 1999, ‘FL98-325’ was propagated by softwood stemcuttings, and an experimental 20-plant test plot was established as partof a variety test at Windsor, Fla., in January 2000. Based on thegrowth, yield, and fruit quality of this plot, ‘FL98-325’ wasrepropagated by softwood stem cuttings and an additional 50-plantexperimental plot was planted in Windsor, Fla., in January 2002.Experimental test plots ranging from 50 to 500 plants were establishedin Archer, Haines City, and Waldo, Fla. These plots have been observedduring flowering and ripening each year, and no mutations or off-typeplants have been observed.

‘FL98-325’ differs from the proprietary parent ‘FL96-27’ (unpatented) inthat ‘FL98-325’ has firmer fruit and a lower chilling requirement.Additionally, ‘FL98-325’ differs from the parent ‘Windsor’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 12,783) in that ‘FL98-325’ has firmer fruit, a smaller pickingscar, and a more upright growth habit. ‘FL98-325’ differs from thecommercial variety ‘Emerald’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,165), an importantvariety widely planted in the southeastern United States, in that‘FL98-325’ has a more upright growth habit, and a more elongated,lanceolate leaf shape compared to the obovate shape of ‘Emerald’ leaves.‘FL98-325’ berries are darker-colored, firmer, and have a sweeter,low-acid flavor than ‘Emerald’ berries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Blueberry variety ‘FL98-325’ exhibits outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics when grown under normal horticultural practices inFlorida, including: (1) a low chilling requirement, particularly for theflower buds; (2) a vigorous, upright bush; (3) early ripening (50% ripeberries in North Florida around April 20); and (4) large, sweet,extremely firm berries with a small, dry picking scar and goodpost-harvest keeping quality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs, taken of a 4-year-old plant, show typicalbush, flower, and fruit characteristics for ‘FL98-325’. Colors shown areas true as can be reasonably reproduced by photographic procedures andmay differ from those cited in the detailed description, whichaccurately describes the colors of ‘FL98-325’.

FIG. 1—Shows several clusters of opening ‘FL98-325’ flowers during theearly stages of flowering in February.

FIG. 2—Shows a typical cluster of ‘FL98-325’ berries during the fruitripening season.

FIG. 3—Shows a close-up of ‘FL98-325’ berries with a scale bar. Theberries are normally much lighter in color than indicated in FIG. 3, inwhich the surface wax has been rubbed off by handling during harvest andtransport.

FIG. 4—Shows a close-up of harvested ‘FL98-325’ berries.

FIG. 5—Shows a close-up of mature ‘FL98-325’ leaves with a scale bar.

FIG. 6—Shows a group of three-year-old ‘FL98-325’ plants in January withthe upright plant architecture visible.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘FL98-325’. The data that define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inFlorida. The plant history was taken on a plot of 500 three-year-oldplants growing in a commercial field near Windsor, Fla. Certaincharacteristics may vary with plant age. ‘FL98-325’ has not beenobserved under all possible environmental conditions, and themeasurements given may vary when grown in different environments. Wheremeans are given, the sample size was 20. Color descriptions are based onThe Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart by The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, Fifth Edition, 2007. When the RHS colordesignations differ from the accompanying photographs, the R.H.S. colordesignations are accurate.

Phenotypic Description of Vaccinium corymbosum L. (‘FL98-325’)

-   Plant:    -   -   Plant height.—Mean of 2.0 m.        -   Canopy (diameter measured at widest part of the bush).—Mean            of 1.5 m.        -   Plant vigor.—Medium. Vigor is less than ‘Emerald’ (U.S.            Plant Pat. No. 12,165) and ‘Windsor’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.            12,783).        -   Growth habit.—Upright.        -   Flower bud density (number) along flowering twigs in            January.—Medium to high.        -   Twigginess.—Medium.        -   Tendency toward evergreenness.—Low to medium.        -   Productivity.—In northeast Florida, ‘FL98-325’produces 2 to            3 kg per season from plants 3 years or older.        -   Chilling requirement.—Based on the evaluation locations, the            chilling requirement is expected to be approximately 300            hours below 7° C. When evaluated in trial sites receiving an            average less than 300 hours below 7° C., ‘FL98-325’ has            performed poorly.        -   Cold hardiness.—‘FL98-325’ has not been grown in temperate            climates with extremely cold winter temperatures. Plants            have survived winter freezes of −8° C. with minimal damage.        -   Ease of propagation.—‘FL98-325’ has only been propagated            from softwood stem cuttings, where the rooting percentage            has often been low.-   Trunk and branches:    -   -   Suckering tendency.—Low. Three-year-old plants typically            have 5 to 7 major canes arising from a crown 30 cm in            diameter.        -   Surface texture (of strong, 6-month-old shoots observed in            August).—Smooth.        -   Surface texture (of 3-year-old and older wood).—Rough.        -   Color of new twigs observed in August in the            field.—Yellow-green 144C.        -   Color of 3-year-old, rough-textured canes.—Greyed green            197D.        -   Internode length (strong, upright shoots measured in            February).—Mean of 15.5 mm.-   Leaves:    -   -   Length (including petiole, from tip of petiole to end of            blade).—Mean of 8.9 cm.        -   Width (at widest point).—Mean of 3.9 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate to lanceolate, with an acute base and acuminate            apex.        -   Margin.—Entire. Very slight undulation of margin toward            petiole end of leaf.        -   Color.—Upper surface: Green 139A. Lower surface:            Yellow-green 147B.        -   Pubescence.—Upper surface of leaves: Absent. Lower surface            of leaves: Absent. Margins: Absent.        -   Timing of vegetative bud burst.—Medium.        -   Relative time of leafing versus flowering.—When not treated            with hydrogen cyanamide in mid-winter, leafing is delayed            relative to flowering.-   Flowers:    -   -   Arrangement.—Flowers are arranged alternately along a short,            leafless, deciduous branch.        -   Fragrance.—Slight rose fragrance.        -   Shape.—Cylindrical to urceolate.        -   Flowering period.—Mean date of 50% open flowers in Windsor,            Fla. is February 13; averages one week later than ‘Emerald’.        -   Cluster (tight, medium, loose).—Loose.        -   Number of flowers per cluster.—Mean of 4.9.        -   Pedicel.—Length at time of anthesis: Mean of 6.3 mm. Color            at time of anthesis: Green 144C with Red 46A on sun-exposed            side.        -   Peduncle.—Length at time of anthesis: Highly variable, mean            of 11.2 mm. Color at time of anthesis: Yellow-green 150B            with Red-purple 60A on sun-exposed side.        -   Calyx.—Surface texture: Smooth. Diameter: Mean of 5.8 mm.            Color: Green 143A.        -   Corolla.—Diameter: Mean of 7.2 mm. Length (from pedicel            attachment point to corolla tip excluding the pedicel): Mean            of 11.5 mm. Aperture diameter: Mean of 5.0 mm. Texture:            Smooth. Color: Off-white NN155A.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Style.—Length (top of ovary to stigma tip): Mean of 9.0 mm.            Color: Yellow-green 150C.        -   Location of tip of stigma relative to lip of the            corolla.—Stigma tip is approximately 1 mm below the corolla            lip.        -   Anthers.—Color: Greyed-orange 163A.        -   Pollen.—Abundance of shed: High. Staining with 2%            acetocarmine (a measure of potential pollen fertility): 94%.            Pollen germination: 98%. Color: Greyed-yellow 162B.        -   Self-fruitfulness.—Low to medium. Planting in field            configurations that promote cross fertilization with other            southern highbush varieties is recommended for all southern            highbush blueberry plants grown in Florida.-   Fruit:    -   -   Mean date of first commercial harvest (25% of berries            ripe).—April 15.        -   Mean date of mid-harvest.—April 25.        -   Mean date of last harvest.—May 5.        -   Diameter of calyx aperture on mature berry.—Mean of 6.8 mm.        -   Size and shape of calyx lobes on mature berry.—Very small            lobes, semi-erect, straight with slight incurving. Medium            calyx basin.        -   Pedicel length on ripe berry.—Mean of 6.5 mm.        -   Detachment force for ripe berries (easy, medium,            hard).—Easy.        -   Fruit cluster density.—Sparse.        -   Number of berries per cluster.—Mean of 4.1.        -   Fruiting type.—On one-year-old and current season's shoots.-   Berry:    -   -   Cluster (tight, medium, loose).—Medium to loose.        -   Weight (on well-pruned plants).—Mean of 2.6 g.        -   Height.—Mean of 12.9 mm.        -   Width.—Mean of 18.4 mm.        -   Shape.—Round to oblate.        -   Surface color of mature berries while on the            plant.—Violet-blue 97B.        -   Surface color of ripe berry after polishing.—Black 203C.        -   Immature berry color, with bloom.—Greyed-green 191B.        -   Immature berry color without bloom.—Yellow-green 146B.        -   Surface wax.—Low amount of surface wax makes the berry            appear darker. The surface wax on ‘FL98-325’ has only medium            resistance to abrasion.        -   Pedicel scar.—Small and dry. Mean of 1.8 mm.        -   Firmness.—Extremely firm.        -   Flavor.—Sweet, very low acid, mild flavor.        -   Texture.—Very good, crisp texture, juicy, small seeds, and            no stone cells present.-   Seeds:    -   -   Color of dried seeds.—Greyed-orange N167A.        -   Weight of well-developed dried seed.—Mean of 0.5 mg.        -   Length of well-developed dried seed.—Mean of 1.8 mm.-   Use: ‘FL98-325’ produces southern highbush blueberries suitable for    both the fresh and processed fruit markets.-   Resistance to diseases, insects, and mites: ‘FL98-325’ has grown    vigorously and shows medium to good bush survival in the field. It    appears to have only average resistance to stem blight    (Botryosphaeria spp.) and root rot (Phytophthora cinnamoni), with    some young plants dying soon after planting. Susceptibility to stem    blight is greater than ‘Emerald’ and ‘Windsor’. The reaction of    ‘FL98-325’ to the fungal species that cause summer leaf spots is    typical of other southern highbush varieties, and fungicide    applications may be needed after harvest to reduce foliar diseases.    No unusual susceptibility to insects or mites has been observed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of southern highbushblueberry plant named ‘FL98-325’, as illustrated and described herein.